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As an LA based writer and editor, I get advance notice of tons of events and more invitations than any rational person could possibly manage –even if they didn’t do anything but party for a living. Nothing gets my attention faster than a sample sale because quite frankly, everyone wants to buy at discount. While celebs often get stuff for free, they pull out that plastic card too for things they deem are "must-haves". Regular people can do the same thing by shopping sample sales for just past season (*meaning stuff you can really wear RIGHT NOW) or for styles/products/items that are over-runs or "test drives". If you are in NYC or other parts of the country, that’s pretty much what a sample sale is for you.
However if you are in LA, it’s a bit of something else. We have sample sales–Cooper Building, Cal-Mart, select designers and other online/IRL companies who plan sales for odd lots and last season goods. But there is that sample sale + fashion hybrid that allows the vendors to sell direct to YOU the customer for less than retail and fractionally above or below wholesale, depending on the goods.
Fashion Co-op is one of these fashion hybrid sales that have taken hold here in LA and are grown over the last few years. I went to one a few years back at Smashbox and it was definitely something different. Flash forward a couple years, and the Co-op has grown and become more polished and streamlined so that seeing clothing and accessories are much easier, and purchasing them as easy as a pull-top can.
With scores of name brands and some "under the radar" lines, there was something for everyone at the OC Fashion Co-op. So much so that even Morgan Souders and Alex Hooser from the MTV show LAGUNA BEACH (along with gal pal Lorraine) were there to partake in the buying of serious fashion goodies at bargain prices.
Fashion Co-op Summer 06 was held at the BRIDGES at Verizon Amphitheater/Wild Rivers which is a huge area and allowed for shelter from what became a very sunny day. TONS of parking (FREE!) made it easy to get to and definitely it was a great day for shopping.
VIPS who paid $13 in advance were given premium entrance early to the sale from 10 AM-1 PM. General admission was from 1-5 PM. If you RSVP’d you paid $3 (in advance) or $5 at the door. No matter what you paid, it was definitely worth going. To get in early and make some major scores on some hot, fun brands, it was worth it to go for VIP and get a Scoop Swag Bag overflowing with goodies from our friends at Dermalogica, Foam Magazine,GoSMILE, Cozmo Cards, Sugar Cosmetics, Function Drinks, Equinox Fitness, Dentyne and Dr. Scholls.goody bag for the trouble.
There were over 100 up-and-coming designers set up to sell their latest styles/products marked to 40-80% off retail. Cutting-edge designs from designers like Amy Tangerine, Meghan Fabulous, CeaSwim, Zoe Chicco, US Rags and tons more to choose from while listening to the live DJ spin tunes.
Thanks to the ATM, there was plenty of shopping going on and even the hardiest shopper needed to take a break and snagged some tiem at the Foam Magazine Lounge trying the Dentyne Cool Ice or the TAB Energy Drink (and it was GREAT!!!)
Equinox was offering complimentary chair massages to help de-stress and relax the most tense shopper! As you can see, most were very happy shoppers!!
So make sure you take a good listen to Morgan and Alex on the podcast and what they thought was hot. It was a great sale. I know that we scored some serious deals and we had a blast. (FYI< TAB Energy Drink ROCKS!)
See ya at the next sale!
Stevie Wilson
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